Image: Nightwish [Official Press Photo]
When walls of guitars meet the force of an orchestra, you know you’ve arrived in the world of Symphonic Metal. This genre fuses epic soundscapes with the raw power of metal. The result? Usually pure goosebumps. Whether you’re just diving into it or want to refresh your playlist — here are the most important bands and famous songs of the genre, from Nightwish and Within Temptation to Beyond The Black.
What Is Symphonic Metal?
Heavy Metal, Gothic, Power Metal — all of these elements and more can be found within the powerful world of Symphonic Metal. This subgenre emerged in the late 1990s with pioneering bands like Therion, Nightwish, and Within Temptation. These trailblazers showed how metal and elements of classical music, e.g. from film and opera, can go hand in hand. Thematically, lyrics and concept albums often explore fantastical and epic subjects, frequently referencing literature or movies. It’s a world of grand sounds and dramatic compositions — and here are a few highlights to get you started!
The Cult Bands of the Genre
Nightwish – The Pioneers of Symphonic Metal
Since their founding in 1996, Nightwish have built a long and truly formative history. Tuomas Holopainen as the band’s main songwriter and each of the vocalists — especially Tarja Turunen — have shaped the genre in their own ways like no other band. Since 2013, Floor Jansen is the voice of the band and has been a creative force behind the band’s last three studio albums.
Their absolute breakthrough came in 2004 with the album Once and one of their most iconic songs, “Nemo.”
Twenty years later, their tenth studio album Yesterwynde was released. Here’s what the band sounds like today with the eight-minute epic “Perfume Of The Timeless.”
Epica & Simone Simons
In the early 2000s, a new band appeared on the Symphonic Metal scene: Epica's sound is exactly what their name promises. Frontwoman Simone Simons has also been pursuing a solo career, releasing her debut album Vermillion in 2024. Only a few years after forming, Epica celebrated their first chart success, beginning with their Nuclear Blast debut The Divine Conspiracy.
Get a first impression of that album with the fan favorite “Never Enough.”
However, the band’s most-streamed song remains “Cry for the Moon (The Embrace That Smothers, Pt. 4)” from their debut album The Phantom Agony (2003).
Within Temptation – Bridging Pop & Metal
Founded the same year as Nightwish, Within Temptation were formed by vocalist Sharon den Adel and guitarist/vocalist Robert Westerholt. The Dutch band quickly rose to prominence in the growing Symphonic Metal scene. Their sound combines catchy, pop-inspired melodies with powerful arrangements and heavy guitar riffs.
Their best-known track is “Faster” from their dynamic 2007 album The Unforgiving.
With their 2019 album Resist, the band hit their most recent #1 album. Check out the opening track “The Reckoning,” featuring Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach:
The New Generation: Blackbriar, Beyond The Black & Beast In Black
Of course, the genre continues to evolve thanks to a constant influx of new bands — the younger generation of Symphonic Metal brings fresh energy to the scene.
Also hailing from the Netherlands, Blackbriar formed in 2012 and have since released three studio albums. One of their latest songs is “Floriography” — listen here:
Germany, too, is well represented in the symphonic scene: Beyond The Black have been releasing powerful records since 2015, rising steadily through major festival lineups such as Wacken Open Air. Their most recent, self-titled fifth studio album features the catchy opener “Is There Anybody Out There?”
Finally, we return to Finland with Beast In Black. From their very first album, they’ve been at home with Nuclear Blast and their song “Blind And Frozen” has already drawn comparisons to their fellow Finnish icons, Nightwish. Hear for yourself:
